Author
Topic: Recommendations for a friend (Read 5126 times)

crasher8

My friend is interested in moving into a DSLR from the high end P&S world. She is not interested in a kit lens or a slow tele (55-250). I have shown her what a pancake is capable of and she has it on her short list along with the nifty 50 as well. She has borrowed a T2i in the past and is comfortable with the ergonomics and menus.

Video is not a concern but if it's there well bonus. She is shooting product stills for her furniture biz, family portraits, candids and vacation pix. Nothing where much more than 135 on a crop is needed. Here is the list I've shared with her for her options below $800.

I recommend the Nikon D5200 over any of canons crops for entry level stuffwith the 18-200 VRII lens this is an awesome entry level combo. Currently Canon has nothing that can touch this for features, quality and pricethe Nikkor 18-200 lenses are really good for super zooms

crasher8

I recommend the Nikon D5200 over any of canons crops for entry level stuffwith the 18-200 VRII lens this is an awesome entry level combo. Currently Canon has nothing that can touch this for features, quality and pricethe Nikkor 18-200 lenses are really good for super zooms

For what its worth, I've got both the 50 f/1.8 and 40 f/2.8. Although sharpness is similar, the 40mm is a much nicer and quieter lens to use. It would be my pick if I had to choose between them. (Although...the 50mm is a little longer and a nice portrait length on a crop camera).

With the cameras, I'd probably just buy the new t3i given the smallish price difference.

Logged

Camera Obscura

canon rumors FORUM

Define high end p&s? any reason not to push her towards a nex or micro 4/3's? mirror less and pocketable is the wave of the future. Why saddle her with a dslr when there doesn't seem to be the need for action sports af?

I would pick a T3i and a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. This setup lacks some reach in the long end, but the constant f/2.8 aperture and the IQ of the Tamron are hard to beat at that price. Later she can buy a 100 f/2.8 macro for portraits and still life.

One of the benefits of sticking with Canon would be that she can take advantage of your experience and knowledge and you could lend her a lens or two when needed. But if we're allowing new options, I'd at least consider the Olympus EPL-5 with kit lens and EVF. And, although currently out of your price range, the OM-D EM-5 has been discontinued and a new model will be released soon. There should also be some good deals coming up on this too.

I recommend the Nikon D5200 over any of canons crops for entry level stuffwith the 18-200 VRII lens this is an awesome entry level combo. Currently Canon has nothing that can touch this for features, quality and pricethe Nikkor 18-200 lenses are really good for super zooms

That doesn't work with an 800 budget.

I'd go for the Nikon D3200 + 35 1.8 DX.I have never owned a Nikon but I always recommend them to people who want to buy dSLRs but do not plan to spend big eventually. Nikon has quality gear at the basic entry level (talking lenses, cameras are about the same although the entry-level Nikons might be better for low light based on my very limited experience) and the 35 1.8 is more versatile than the 40mm pancake (IMO). Just had another friend buy it and bring back excellent night pictures from Vegas.